tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12421373512580652572018-05-15T22:42:20.751-05:00Sports JambalayaThe Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-25254486675710747782010-11-18T08:15:00.000-06:002010-11-18T08:15:16.231-06:00CCR #8 Power Rankings by MartynHi all,<br />firstly don't ask me for power rankings on college basketball, To be honest I'am not a fan of Basketball, however I do catch a lot of news while I'am checking the NHL &amp; NFL news &amp; scores &amp; read a number of blogs by hoops fans.<br /><br />So,<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TOU0bh-pcqI/AAAAAAAAAZE/rO5cTu_HEj8/s1600/Boston-Celtics-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TOU0bh-pcqI/AAAAAAAAAZE/rO5cTu_HEj8/s200/Boston-Celtics-logo.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><br />NBA<br />1. Boston<br />2. LA Lakers<br />3. New Orleans<br />4. Utah<br />5. San Antonio<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TOU0kzUTBTI/AAAAAAAAAZI/dKFsHZLb-oI/s1600/Philadelphia-Flyers5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TOU0kzUTBTI/AAAAAAAAAZI/dKFsHZLb-oI/s200/Philadelphia-Flyers5.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />NHL<br />1. Philadelphia Flyers<br />2. Washington Capitals<br />3. Detroit Red Wings<br />4. Pittsburgh Penguins<br />5. San Jose Sharks<br /><br />It looks like another great season of action, and a special mention to the St Louis Blues who are doing better than expected.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TOU0rllpjQI/AAAAAAAAAZM/c3JIyp9A9tg/s1600/VINYLMAGNET-COLTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TOU0rllpjQI/AAAAAAAAAZM/c3JIyp9A9tg/s200/VINYLMAGNET-COLTS.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />NFL<br />1. Colts<br />2. Patriots<br />3. Jets<br />4. Steelers<br />5. Falcons<br /><br />Of course the Giants &amp; Eagles will be looking to keep up their good starts and have great teams to compete as well as defending champions the NO Saints.<br /><br />Hope y'all enjoyed reading.<br />ThanksMartynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337009869872821759noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-66582753901891863782010-11-15T23:06:00.002-06:002010-11-15T23:25:05.355-06:00Power Rankings from The Ranter<div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My NBA Power Rankings</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#1: Los Angeles Lakers<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#2: New Orleans Hornets<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#3: Boston Celtics<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#4: Utah Jazz<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#5: Dallas Mavericks<br /><br />The Lakers are the second most talented league. The Celtics are number one. I maintain that Rajon Rondo is the best PG, and the fifth best player in the league. I told you the Jazz would be a darkhorse. ;)<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My NFL Power Rankings</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#1: Philadelphia Eagles<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#2: New England Patriots<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#3: Atlanta Falcons<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#4: Pittsburgh Steelers</span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#5: New York Jets<br /><br />The Eagles dismantled the Redskins tonight, after a great win against the Colts. Vick really is the best quarterback in the league, and Kolb the best backup.<br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My NHL Power Rankings</span></span></b></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.6px; font-family: verdana;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#1: Washington Capitals<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#2: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.6px; font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Detroit Red Wings</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#3: </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.6px; font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15.6px; font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Los Angeles Kings</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#4: Philadelphia Flyers<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#5: Montreal Canadiens<br /><br />I have no clue...<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My BCS Power Rankings</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#1: Oregon<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#2: Auburn<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#3: TCU<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#4: Boise State<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#5: Stanford<br /><br />I really want Auburn to lose a game this year. I want this to be the non-conference mid-major year, but I'm afraid Cam Newton will prevail and win out. :( Too bad.<br /></span></span></div></span>The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-81450433728917456012010-11-14T20:41:00.005-06:002010-11-14T21:40:00.480-06:00CCR #8: Power Rankings by Fuji<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Great Topic... I love checking out the Power Rankings for all of the different sports. And now... I get to publish my own. Here goes nothing...<br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My NBA Power Rankings</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TOCqI6WiS-I/AAAAAAAABWM/h0O9YfOLbq4/s1600/logo.gif"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TOCqI6WiS-I/AAAAAAAABWM/h0O9YfOLbq4/s200/logo.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539614611745164258" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px; " /></span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#1: Los Angeles Lakers (8-1)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#2: New Orleans Hornets (8-0)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#3: Boston Celtics (8-2)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#4: San Antonio Spurs (8-1)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#5: Utah Jazz (7-3)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Okay... so the Lakers lost to the Nuggets... and the Hornets have the best record in the NBA. However, I still think the Lakers are the best team in the league. If they lose to the Suns tonight, then they drop down to #2. Actually... I'm pretty happy with these selections... the only question mark for me was the Jazz... but damn... they beat the Heat, the Magic, the Hawks, and the Bobcats... all on the road. That's pretty impressive.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My NFL Power Rankings</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TOCq50iZSSI/AAAAAAAABWk/sHnISEVVkLc/s1600/team.gif"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TOCq50iZSSI/AAAAAAAABWk/sHnISEVVkLc/s200/team.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539615451997882658" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px; " /></span></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#1: Atlanta Falcons (7-2)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#2: New York Jets (7-2)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#3: Baltimore Ravens (6-3)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#4: Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2, but are losing to the Patriots 10-3 @ halftime)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#5: Green Bay Packers (6-3)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Okay... this week has been crazy... the Ravens lost... the Giants lost... the Jets barely beat the Browns... and the Bills finally win a game (against the Lions... lol).</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So I'm not 100% sure I agree with my rankings... it's just how I feel at the moment. I do know that the Falcons should be #1... but after that it gets kind of crazy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If the Steelers lose to the Patriots, then I take them out of the top 5... put the Packers @ #4... and move the Patriots into the #5 slot.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My NHL Power Rankings</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TOCq5dbgX6I/AAAAAAAABWU/yWxT9Og9T4E/s1600/team-1.gif"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TOCq5dbgX6I/AAAAAAAABWU/yWxT9Og9T4E/s200/team-1.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539615445794971554" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px; " /></a></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:15.6px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#1: Washington Capitals (13-4-1)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#2: Los Angeles Kings (12-3)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#3: Detroit Redwings (11-3-1)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#4: Philadelphia Flyers (11-4-2)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#5: St. Louis Blues (9-3-3)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This race is tight... the top 4 teams are all 8-2 or better over the past 10 games... and St. Louis entered last week as the #1 team in a lot of people's power rankings... last night's loss to the Coyotes hurt them.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My BCS Power Rankings</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; font-size: 16px; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TOCq5lre4sI/AAAAAAAABWc/Ad0t9ZXv4Js/s1600/team-2.gif"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TOCq5lre4sI/AAAAAAAABWc/Ad0t9ZXv4Js/s200/team-2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539615448009466562" style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px; " /></span></span></a></span></span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#1: San Jose State University</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#2: Stanford University</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#3: University of California Berkeley</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#4: University of Hawaii</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">#5: Santa Clara University</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Okay... so, here's the deal. I don't follow college football. Is Stanford good this year? Yes. Does SJSU suck? Yes. That's about it. So, instead of cheating and looking up the actual BCS rankings and copying theres... I figured I'd rank my top 5 FAVORITE colleges. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This Saturday is going to be awesome... Cal plays Stanford in the Big Game... and SJSU plays UH... and well... Santa Clara... they don't do football.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So there you have it... my official power rankings. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now show me yours.</span></span></div></span></div>Fujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749100861086458307noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-30770138068437494642010-11-14T10:10:00.002-06:002010-11-14T10:14:09.639-06:00CCR #8: Power Rankings!!!Power Rankings are a sports nerd's dry hump. It not the real thing, but it's close enough. We can't determine champions yet, but at least we have "Who's Better?" So, panelists, rank your top 5 NBA, NFL, NHL, and BCS teams. Good luck, and as usual enjoy.The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-37057345471982585412010-11-01T22:50:00.004-05:002010-11-01T23:06:44.326-05:00CCR #7: Greinke/Lee by sanjosefuji<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TM-OHt9fKPI/AAAAAAAABN8/lN_uNwRJ6LY/s1600/San+Francisco+Giants+2010+World+Series+Champions+Official+Club+House+T-Shirt+-+MLB.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TM-OHt9fKPI/AAAAAAAABN8/lN_uNwRJ6LY/s320/San+Francisco+Giants+2010+World+Series+Champions+Official+Club+House+T-Shirt+-+MLB.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534798730309347570" /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >First up... congratulations San Francisco Giants fans! With that out of the way... let's get down to the subject at hand.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. If the Rangers lose the World Series (God forbid), what should and will Cliff Lee do? What if they win?</span></i></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The Rangers lost... so Cliff Lee should sign with the A's or the Padres. However... since my teams never fork out any money... then I'll settle with him signing with anyone other than the Yankees.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
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<br /><i>2. If both the Yankees and the Rangers offered the same amount of money, which one should Cliff Lee choose? What if the Rangers win the World Series? What if they lose?</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >If Cliff Lee is offered the same amount of money... he should sign with the Rangers. Under no circumstances should he sign with the Yankees.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >
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<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>3. If both the Yankees and the Royals offered contacts to Zack Greinke, and the Yankees deal was slightly less than the Royals, which one should/would he take?</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Zack Greinke should sign with the Royals. <meta charset="utf-8"><b>Under no circumstances should he sign with the Yankees.</b></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" >
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<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>4. If you were Royals management, do you try to trade Zack Greinke, or risk keeping him?</i></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
<br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >If I'm Royals management and I care about my fans... I keep him and try to get him some teammates that will help them get to the World Series. However... If I'm Royals management and I decide to trade him... under no circumstances do I trade him to the Yankees.</span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); line-height: 18px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >
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<br /></span></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Once again... congratulations Giants fans... this was one roller coaster of a season for you... glad to see you come out on top (and not the Yankees... lol).</span></span></span></div>Fujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749100861086458307noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-3074163191485157652010-10-30T17:57:00.003-05:002010-10-30T18:11:48.438-05:00<span style="font-weight: bold;">1. If the Rangers lose the World Series (God forbid), what should and will Cliff Lee do? What if they win?</span><br /><br />Oh. My. Goodness. Cliff Lee will only stay with my Rangers if (and when) they win the World Series. I'm sure of that. If I were him, I would stay with Texas regardless because I the Rangers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. If both the Yankees and the Rangers offered the same amount of money, which one should Cliff Lee choose? What if the Rangers win the World Series? What if they lose?</span><br /><br />I think that Cliff Lee does not do too well in the supreme heat of Texas (that would be one of the reasons he would leave), and New York is a "superior" market. If money were no object, and the Rangers lost to the Giants, he would and should choose New York.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. If both the Yankees and the Royals offered contacts to Zack Greinke, and the Yankees deal was slightly less than the Royals, which one should/would he take?</span><br /><br />Yankees, without any doubt.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. If you were Royals management, do you try to trade Zack Greinke, or risk keeping him?<br /><br /></span>The same thing goes for Carmelo Anthony... don't take such a big risk<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>with such a big talent. I would trade him now, because he's going to leave town anyway.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Oh, and now a modest side note in the smallest font possible... I have a new blog that I wanted to promote. </span><a style="font-family: times new roman;" href="http://www.larrykingjive.blogspot.com">It is called Larry King Jive</a><span style="font-family:times new roman;">, and on it, I interview sports show hosts, mascots, coaches, and players. Enjoy.</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-78496484070110949082010-10-30T17:48:00.002-05:002010-10-30T17:54:13.998-05:00CCR #7: Zack Greinke and Cliff LeeZack Greinke and Cliff Lee are supremely talented pitchers who will face decisions very soon. Roundtable: time to take action.<br /><br />1. If the Rangers lose the World Series (God forbid), what should and will Cliff Lee do? What if they win?<br /><br />2. If both the Yankees and the Rangers offered the same amount of money, which one should Cliff Lee choose? What if the Rangers win the World Series? What if they lose?<br /><br />3. If both the Yankees and the Royals offered contacts to Zack Greinke, and the Yankees deal was slightly less than the Royals, which one should/would he take?<br /><br />4. If you were Royals management, do you try to trade Zack Greinke, or risk keeping him?The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-40404196507892940342010-10-26T11:41:00.008-05:002010-10-28T23:27:01.981-05:00CCR #6: NBA Season Predictions by sanjosefuji<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> <style>@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Secti</style><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Western Conference</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TMcJB8yk9WI/AAAAAAAABLs/-VR9ASthXYI/s1600/lakers.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TMcJB8yk9WI/AAAAAAAABLs/-VR9ASthXYI/s320/lakers.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532400596350727522" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;">1<sup>st </sup>– Lakers</span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">2<sup>nd</sup> – Thunder</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">3<sup>rd</sup> – Mavericks</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">4<sup>th</sup> – Jazz</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">5<sup>th</sup> – Spurs</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">6<sup>th</sup> – Blazers</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">7<sup>th</sup> – Nuggets</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">8<sup>th</sup> – Suns</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">1<sup>st</sup> round</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Lakers vs. Suns (Lakers in 6)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Thunder vs. Nuggets (Thunder in 4)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Mavericks vs. Blazers (Blazers in 7)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Jazz vs. Spurs (Spurs in 6)</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">2<sup>nd</sup> round</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Lakers vs. Spurs (Lakers in 5)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Thunder vs. Blazers (Thunder in 6)</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;">Conference Finals:</span><span style=";font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Lakers vs. Thunder (Lakers in 7)</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Eastern Conference</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TMcH2TJuH8I/AAAAAAAABLc/l0T7cjLUGaE/s1600/celtics.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TMcH2TJuH8I/AAAAAAAABLc/l0T7cjLUGaE/s320/celtics.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532399296683319234" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"> 1<sup>st </sup>– Celtics</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">2<sup>nd</sup> – Heat</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">3<sup>rd</sup> – Magic</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">4<sup>th</sup> – Bulls</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">5<sup>th</sup> – Hawks</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">6<sup>th</sup> – Bucks</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">7<sup>th</sup> – Knicks</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">8<sup>th</sup> – Bobcats</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">1<sup>st</sup> round</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Celtics vs. Bobcats (Celtics in 4)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Heat vs. Knicks (Heat in 4)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Magic vs. Bucks (Magic in 5)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Bulls vs. Hawks (Bulls in 6)</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">2<sup>nd</sup> round</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Celtics vs. Bulls (Celtics in 6)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Heat vs. Magic (Magic in 7)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;">Conference Finals:</span><span style=";font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Celtics vs. Magic (Celtics in 6)</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;">NBA Champtionship:</span><span style=";font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Lakers vs. Celtics (Celtics in 7)</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Individual Awards:</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;">Rookie of the Year: </span><span style="font-size:100%;">John Wall <b>(Can I change my vote to Blake Griffin? This guy was a beast in his debut.)</b></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;">MVP:</span><span style=";font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Kevin Durant</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;">Coach of the Year:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Scott Brooks</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;">Defensive POY: </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Dwight Howard</span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;">6</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><sup style="font-weight: bold;">th</sup></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;"> Man:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> Lamar Odom</span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p>Fujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749100861086458307noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-3200803286575911712010-10-24T11:09:00.006-05:002010-10-30T17:48:04.626-05:00NBA Predictions<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">NOTE: I AM ASSUMING THAT CARMELO ANTHONY WILL BE TRADED BY THE TRADE DEADLINE. I REMOVE 1/2 OF HIS IMPACT FROM THE NUGGETS. I DO NOT ADD HIS IMPACT TO ANY TEAM.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Standings!<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eastern Conference</span><br /><br />1. <b>Miami Heat</b><br />2. <b>Orlando Magic</b><br />3. <b>Boston Celtics</b><br />4. <b>Milwaukee Bucks</b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chicago Bulls</span><br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Atlanta Hawks</span><br />7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">New Jersey Nets<br /></span>8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">New York Knicks</span><br />9. Washington Wizards<br />10. Philadelphia 76ers<br />11. Indiana Pacers<br />12. Detroit Pistons<br />13. Charlotte Bobcats<br />14. Toronto Raptors<br />15. Cleveland Cavaliers<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Western Conference</span><br /><br />1. <b>Los Angeles Lakers</b><br />2. <b>Dallas Mavericks<br /></b>3. <b>Oklahoma City Thunder</b><br />4. <b>Portland Trail Blazers</b><br />5. <b>Utah Jazz</b><br />6. <b>San Antonio Spurs</b><br />7. <b>New Orleans Hornets</b><br />8. <b>Memphis Grizzlies</b><br />9. Denver Nuggets<br />10. Houston Rockets<br />11. Sacramento Kings<br />12. Golden State Warriors<br />13. Phoenix Suns<br />14. Los Angeles Clippers<br />15. Minnesota Timberwolves<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Awards!</span></span><br /><br /><b>Rookie of the Year - John Wall (G, Wizards)<br />Coach of the Year - Scott Skiles (Bucks)<br />Defensive Player of the Year - Dwight Howard (C, Magic)<br />Most Improved Player of the Year - Mario Chalmers (G, Heat)<br />Sixth Man of the Year - Tyson Chandler (C, Mavericks)<br />Most Valuable Player - Kobe Bryant (G, Lakers)</b><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Playoffs!</span></span><br /><br />1st Round:<br /><b>(1) Heat</b> def. (8) Knicks<br /><b>(2) Magic</b> def. (7) Nets<br /><b>(3) Celtics</b> def. (6) Hawks*<br /><b>(5) Bulls</b> def. (4) Bucks<br /><br /><b>(1) Lakers</b> def. (8) Grizzlies<br /><b>(2) Mavericks</b> def. (7) Hornets<br /><b>(3) Thunder</b> def. (6) Spurs*<br /><b>(4) Trail Blazers</b> def. (5) Jazz*<br /><br />2nd Round:<br /><b>(1) Heat</b> def. (5) Bulls<br /><b>(2) Magic</b> def. (3) Celtics*<br /><br /><b>(1) Lakers</b> def. (4) Trail Blazers*<br /><b>(2) Mavericks</b> def. (3) Thunder*<br /><br />Conference Finals:<br /><b>(1) Heat</b> def. (2) Magic*<br /><br /><b>(1) Lakers</b> def. (2) Mavericks*<br /><br />The NBA Finals!<br /><b>(1) Lakers</b> def. (1) Heat*<br /><br />*denotes a 7-game series<br /><br />Now for some <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">notes!</span></span><br /><ul><li>Jim O'Brien, Pacers coach, will be fired</li><li>Jay Triano, Raptors coach, will be fired</li><li>Joe Dumars, Pistons GM, will (and really really should) be fired</li><li>Carmelo Anthony will be traded to the Rockets</li><li>The Heat will win only two more games than the Lakers, and four more games than the Magic, at 67 wins.</li><li>Greg Oden and his penis will play in 65 games.</li><li>Andrew Bynum will only play in 50 games.</li><li>This will be the last year during the next 10 in which a team not named the Heat or the Thunder will win the Championship.<br /></li></ul>The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-5911657062672092352010-10-24T10:58:00.003-05:002010-10-24T11:09:22.085-05:00CCR #6: NBA SeasonThere is more anticipation for this season than any other I can remember. We have the Three Kings ganging up on the rest of the innocent East. We have the Celtics' resurgence, including adding two aging O'Neals. We have Kobe bolstering his team by adding yet another rival.<br /><br />There are many characters playing major roles in this season. We have two crazy-as-hell owners in Cuban and Gilbert. We have a past superhero called Agent Zero who, in my opinion, should play zero minutes. We have the assassin, who can knock down any shot... even that last second one in Game 7 against the Heat in the Finals next year.<br /><br />Now, bloggers. Make your NBA predictions in 4 parts:<br /><br />1. Standings - Rank all 15 teams per conference by regular season record<br /><br />2. Awards - MVP, Defensive, ROY, Coach, 6th Man<br /><br />3. Playoffs - If you have a bracket, use it.<br /><br />4. Thoughts - Any thoughts you have on the season and what will happen during the season (including trades and firings)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">If the heat gets to you, jump into the lake(rs).</span> - Some dude on some forum somewhere<br /></div>The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-33793008262825015252010-10-23T10:28:00.002-05:002010-10-23T10:40:39.728-05:00CCR #5: Best Part of OctoberUsually, the Dallas Mavericks excite me the most in October. But this year, they aren't even the best thing in the NBA in October. I can't wait to see the Heat! But not even THAT can get me to watch the NBA over baseball THIS SEASON.<br /><br />Usually, the Rangers are out of it by July. I don't know WHAT happened this year, but somehow, we are now in the World Series. How can I skip that? I will be watching every single one of those 4 games against the Giants (yeah, I said it... bring it on).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5CkKtonbiA4/TMMB2YY2XRI/AAAAAAAAARM/Ij8ycQbtxBE/s1600/ron-washington1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5CkKtonbiA4/TMMB2YY2XRI/AAAAAAAAARM/Ij8ycQbtxBE/s320/ron-washington1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531266801112341778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />October, to me, is the best month for sports fans. I hereby declare the Major League Baseball Playoffs the best part of this wonderful month. Only because my team is playing in it.The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-10053595675981863762010-10-22T15:33:00.001-05:002010-10-22T15:40:51.996-05:00CCR #4 and 5: MLB Post Season and Best of October by 82RedbirdsWell, it's about time I get off my lazy duff and start contributing to this project. I'm going to fudge a little and combine the last two subjects into one post.<br /><br />First of all, let's take a look at the MLB post season. It's a little late to be making predictions about the LDS since we could be deciding who wins the pennants in the next two nights. But I just wanted to get a quick comment in about the NLCS. Even though the Giants are up 3-2, I still have a feeling the Phillies are going to the World Series again this year. In the AL, I am rooting for the Rangers. To be quite honest, it's not that I'm a huge Rangers fan. I just love to see an underdog come out on top, and considering this is the first year the Rangers have ever won a post season series, I would be very happy if they sent the Yanks home to watch the WS on TV.<br /><br />Second of all, without question, the best part of October (for me) is the MLB playoffs. But this year it's bittersweet. The Cardinals failed to make it into the post season so that stings a little (especially since the Reds did make it). October also means that baseball season will soon be over (another deeply depressing annual event). But October brings with it the promise of the soon-to-come World Series, which just the mention of it makes me smile.<br /><br />So have fun carving pumpkins and making plans for family get-togethers for Thanksgiving. I'll be glued to the TV set watching the Rangers and the Phillies in the World Series, my favorite part of the year.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_abkRDX6eTwo/TMH2jxg_xMI/AAAAAAAAALA/CHfcIVyOTSY/s1600/cliff_lee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_abkRDX6eTwo/TMH2jxg_xMI/AAAAAAAAALA/CHfcIVyOTSY/s1600/cliff_lee.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_abkRDX6eTwo/TMH2w_CZRfI/AAAAAAAAALE/ROC28H-lwtA/s1600/Roy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_abkRDX6eTwo/TMH2w_CZRfI/AAAAAAAAALE/ROC28H-lwtA/s1600/Roy1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>82Redbirdsnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-50830991083586581422010-10-17T23:20:00.003-05:002010-10-17T23:41:38.611-05:00CCR #5: Best Part of October by sanjosefuji<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TLvP49nNsrI/AAAAAAAABI0/9rdQABcdfYE/s1600/sharks_territory.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TLvP49nNsrI/AAAAAAAABI0/9rdQABcdfYE/s320/sharks_territory.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529241545046078130" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >First up... thanks G for coming up with this week's topic. Now... let's get on with the question.</span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >October is usually the worst month of the year for me. Why? Because it's from mid-September through the end of November there aren't any major holidays that teachers get off. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those teachers who hate my job. In fact, I no doubt have one of the best jobs in the world and actually look forward to going into work about 95% of the time. But the fact is... two months straight without a break is kind of a bummer.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >At least I have Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break to look forward to. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >But Gmoses is right... there's a bunch of stuff going on in the world of sports during this month. And if I had to choose one that I'm most excited about... I'd have to go hockey.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Why? Well San Jose doesn't have many major sports teams... there's the Earthquakes... the Sabercats... the (SJ) Giants... and then of course... there's the Sharks. Since I'm not a major soccer fan, I don't really follow the Earthquakes. The Sabercats took the year off from the AFL. And the San Jose Giants are done for the season.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >So in San Jose, the Sharks are #1 (well the SF Giants are pretty popular too... but I'm not a Giants fan). It's one of those things that brings a city together. In fact... it's one of the few things that students and teachers actually agree on (just kidding). </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Plus... the Sharks have one of the most talented teams in the league, so they're always fun to watch.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Anyways... it's WAY, WAY, WAY, past my bedtime. So goodnight y'all.</span></span></span></div>Fujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749100861086458307noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-36688314397136126762010-10-17T21:31:00.000-05:002010-10-17T21:31:41.361-05:00CCR 5 - What's the best part of October? G Moses' postSo it's Sunday and that means it's time for another Card Collector's Roundtable discussion.&nbsp; And for this topic, I've chosen something close to my heart - the month of October.&nbsp; I was born in October - but aside from that, there's a lot of cool things going on this month.<br /><br />Need help getting started?&nbsp; Let me lay it out for you...<br /><br />1)&nbsp; We got the baseball playoffs going on.&nbsp; And this year has been pretty phenomenal.&nbsp; We got the best pitchers in the game all going at their peak.&nbsp; Seriously.&nbsp; We got Cliff Lee, Lincecum, Halladay and Sabathia all pitching their hearts out.&nbsp; What the hell else could you ask for for the LCS series?&nbsp; It's crazy how stacked these series have become.<br /><br />2)&nbsp; The NFL season is in full swing.&nbsp; No more preseason.&nbsp; No more combines or draft class predicitons.&nbsp; It's just football.&nbsp; And right about Week 5, it starts to get real.<br /><br />3)&nbsp; The soccer world is in full bloom.&nbsp; England has the EPL going.&nbsp; The MLS is nearing the playoffs.&nbsp; Oh yeah, the UEFA cup is just warming up.&nbsp; If you're a fan of beautiful moves&nbsp;and round balls (boy does that sound weird), it's right about the time of the year you live for.<br /><br />4)&nbsp; The NBA season tips off on October 26th.&nbsp; My God, how I've longed to watch the Blazers play.&nbsp; I can't wait for this season to get going.<br /><br />5)&nbsp; If you're into hockey - well, you got hockey too.<br /><br />6)&nbsp; The new TV shows are back!&nbsp; Going through the summer time with re-runs just isn't the same.&nbsp; I've got a ton of shows that I watch.&nbsp; From Smallville to How I Met Your Mother, from Mike and Molly to&nbsp;Dexter there really is something for everyone on the TV now.&nbsp; And thanks to DVR's, the studios are putting out more quality product because we're no longer tied to having to watch whatever the hell they give us.<br /><br />7)&nbsp; If all of that isn't enough - the kids go back to school.&nbsp; Those of you who have kids know just how great that can be sometimes.<br /><br />So what's my answer?&nbsp; What's the best part of October for me?&nbsp; If I had to choose just one thing - and I expect everybody to look inside and pick just the one thing - I'd say that it's the Soccer Season.&nbsp; Even though I really love watching the NBA tip-off, the NBA really gets good once Christmas is out of the way.&nbsp; But soccer for me is something that I'll wake up at 4am for if need be.&nbsp; Watching Everton takes precedence over EVERYTHING on my television.&nbsp; Every goal is so important.&nbsp; Every save takes your breath away.&nbsp; It's too much to handle sometimes.<br /><br />So what about you all?&nbsp; What's your favorite part of October?&nbsp; It really is the perfect storm of sports.&nbsp; All sports are represented.&nbsp; Whatever you're into, it's there for the taking in October.Guy Sanchezhttps://plus.google.com/106790507818196610027noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-6479070461669631142010-10-10T16:53:00.002-05:002010-10-10T17:15:16.510-05:00CCR4: Postseason predictions from Tony McI'm a little late to the party but I'll chip in my predictions anyway.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">NLDS</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><br />San Francisco Giants Vs Atlanta Braves:<br /><br /><br /><br />Giants win 3 games to 1. This depends heavily on the Giants hitting but with the likes of Posey, Burrell and Huff, I think the Giants can pull it off and send Cox into retirement.<br /><br /><br /><br />Philadelphia Phillies Vs Cincinnati Reds:<br /><br /><br /><br />Phillies win 3 games to 1. I can see the Reds making a comeback tonight but it wont do them much good.<br /><br /><div align="center">ALDS</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">Texas Rangers Vs Tampa Bay Rays:</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Rays win 3 games to 2. This has gone the distance and it looked like the Rangers were on the verge of swapping the Rays but thanks to steady bat work the Rays have fought back. I think they will keep the momentum going and pip the Rangers in the final game.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Minnesota Twins Vs New York Yankees:</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Yeah the Yanks won, we know this now. But to be honest I thought the Twins could have done it, guess they forgot how to play ball.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center">NLCS</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">San Francisco Giants Vs Philadelphia Phillies:</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">San Francisco will win 4 games to 2. I can see the Phillies winning the first two games but Frisco will battle back to win 4 in a row and seal a trip to the World Series.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center">ALCS</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">New York Yankees Vs Tampa Bays Rays:</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Tampa will sweep the Yankees! As long as the Rays remain injury free for their game against Texas they will pull off a shock sweep against everyones most hated team.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="center">World Series</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left">San Francisco Giants Vs Tampa Bay Rays:</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">This would be a great match up and a tough series to call. Being a Giants fan I would love to say the Giants will do it but the Rays out bat them by a lot. If the Giants can keep their pitching on top form and keep the Rays from getting 3 or more runs then they have a real shot at bringing the first ever World Series to San Francisco.</div><div align="left">I'm going to say the Giants win 4 games to 3.</div>Tony Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708130795543892569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-8874945500316779672010-10-08T19:33:00.003-05:002010-10-09T16:18:14.344-05:00CCR 4: MLB Postseason from The RanterThanks to Fuji for letting me steal his font!<br /><br /><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">American League Divisional Series:</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays - Rangers in 4</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins - Yankees in 3 (I think it's fixed!)<br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">National League Divisional Series:</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Phillies in 4</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants - Giants in 4<br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">American League Championship Series:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees - Yankees in 7 (Cliff Lee will remain perfect in postseason play)<br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">National League Championship Series:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants - Giants in 7<br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">World Series:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span">New York Yankees</span> vs. <span class="Apple-style-span">San Francisco Giants</span> - Yankees in 6<br /><br />(changed WS from 5 to 6 games)<br /></span></div>The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-23074909920877116322010-10-08T08:57:00.006-05:002010-10-08T13:26:20.209-05:00CCR #4 MLB Post Season Predictions by Martyn @ Steal SecondOkay,<br />So The Phillies just took a 1-0 lead over the Reds, Giants are 1 up over the Braves, And Texas &amp; New York have 2 games over the Rays, &amp; Twins.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TK8juuJZu-I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/ARfd6BuMvOQ/s1600/2006+Bowman+Originals+%2352+-+Cole+Hamels+RC+(Rookie+Card).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TK8juuJZu-I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/ARfd6BuMvOQ/s200/2006+Bowman+Originals+%2352+-+Cole+Hamels+RC+(Rookie+Card).jpg" width="141" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So,</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Who wins?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Okay onto the&nbsp;league with home field advantage for the fall classic.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">National league</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Giants over Braves in 4.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Phillies over Reds in 3.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TK2nZoBAlHI/AAAAAAAAAU8/R0yyAK6u_58/s1600/Crawford+On+White.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TK2nZoBAlHI/AAAAAAAAAU8/R0yyAK6u_58/s200/Crawford+On+White.bmp" width="182" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">American League</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yankees over Twins in 4</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Rangers over Rays in 4</div><br />So The Philles against Giants, (I have bets on both teams)<br />The Phillies in 5.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TJtUbBYR5kI/AAAAAAAAATA/Mf1SHz5sDeg/s1600/R+Cano+A&amp;G+2010,+Bat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TJtUbBYR5kI/AAAAAAAAATA/Mf1SHz5sDeg/s200/R+Cano+A&amp;G+2010,+Bat.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><br />Yankees against Rangers<br />New York in 5<br /><br />So the World Series will be NYY v PHI<br /><br />A repeat of last years final however, The Phillies in 6.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TK9iOK7b5BI/AAAAAAAAAVk/o358UV55sgk/s1600/done+re+put.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TK9iOK7b5BI/AAAAAAAAAVk/o358UV55sgk/s320/done+re+put.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337009869872821759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-59696668345777153892010-10-06T23:41:00.003-05:002010-10-06T23:59:58.349-05:00CCR #4: MLB Playoff Predictions by sanjosefuji<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'm still pouting over the Padres loss to the Giants... so I'm going to keep this short and go sulk in my man-cave before I hit the sack.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">American League Divisional Series:</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Texas Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Rays - Rangers in 5</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins - Yankees in 4</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">National League Divisional Series:</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cincinnati Reds vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Phillies in 3</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Atlanta Braves vs. San Francisco Giants - Braves in 5</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">American League Championship Series:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Texas Rangers vs. New York Yankees - Yankees in 6</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">National League Championship Series:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves - Phillies in 5</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">World Series:</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >New York Yankees</span> vs. <span class="Apple-style-span" >Philadelphia Phillies</span> - Phillies in 6</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Since both of my teams didn't make the playoffs... it's pretty simple for me. In the American League, I'm pulling for the Twins (since I hate the Yankees). And in the National League, I'm pulling for the San Francisco Giants, because they're local.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Go Giants!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Have a great week!</span></div>Fujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749100861086458307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-658541689137924692010-10-06T16:44:00.000-05:002010-10-06T16:45:29.034-05:00Card Collector's Roundtable - Topic 4: MLB PlayoffsIt's October! Time for MLB Playoff predictions!!!The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-89416673023137133672010-10-06T13:23:00.000-05:002010-10-06T13:23:19.378-05:00CCR #3 NHL Predictions by Martyn @ Steal Second<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Okay so as the champions came from the western conference, let’s go there first.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">I’ll go through the divisions with who’ll make the post season out of the teams.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u>Pacific</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>San Jose</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Phoenix</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u>Northwest</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Vancouver</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><state><place>Colorado</place></state></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Calgary</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u>Central</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Chicago</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Detroit</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Nashville</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>San Jose</place></city> will have the best record in the West; The Northwest will be really tight and end up producing 3 play off teams, with the Canucks looking like the best team although I anticipate a very close division. &amp; in the Central current champions <city><place>Chicago</place></city> &amp; <city><place>Detroit</place></city> will battle it out to be the best in the division with <city><place>Nashville</place></city> locking the last play-off spot.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Onto the East,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u>Atlantic</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><state><place>New Jersey</place></state></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Pittsburgh</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Philadelphia</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><state><place>New York</place></state> Rangers</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u>Northeast</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Buffalo</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Ottawa</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u>Southeast</u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><state><place>Washington</place></state></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><city><place>Carolina</place></city></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Okay so, the <place>Atlantic</place> will provide the playoffs 4 teams, The Devils &amp; Penguins are always looking strong, the Flyers have a great team &amp; I have a feeling the Rangers will make it this year. <city><place>Buffalo</place></city> &amp; <city><place>Ottawa</place></city> will leave their Northeast rivals standing &amp; the Capitals are one of Hockey’s best teams and the book maker’s favourites 6-1, &amp; like the Rangers the Cane’s should make the postseason.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TKy-MuwRdVI/AAAAAAAAAUs/fZOSHTw_BR4/s1600/Untitled+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="120" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_slZeoBIkVAc/TKy-MuwRdVI/AAAAAAAAAUs/fZOSHTw_BR4/s320/Untitled+-+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Just for fun I shall put a few £ on <city><place>San Jose</place></city> @ 14/1 &amp; the Flyers @ 12/1 with Mr William Hill (other bookmakers are available).</div><br />Hope you enjoy reading &amp; good luck to all the Baseball teams in post season.Martynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17337009869872821759noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-34146684113402030542010-10-05T17:58:00.001-05:002010-10-06T20:35:59.682-05:00CCR #3: NHL Predictions By Charles @ HoopographLet me preface my pics by saying that I am by no means a hockey expert, but I do know a good team when I see one. Team cohesion and chemistry are a huge part of the teams which are successful in the NHL and those that are not. An NBA team can be carried by one superstar and an&nbsp;MLB team's lineup can be lifted by a bat or two, but an NHL team needs the stars, the glue guys, a solid goalie and a superstar or two to win The Cup. The team dynamic of an NHL team is complex. In order for a team to win it all, they need to be hitting on all cylinders. Although there are a few teams which seem to have the talent on paper to make a run deep into the playoffs, it always seems that one of those talented teams inevitably falters. We'll get to my pics later in the post, but I first what to give a little insight on a team that I'm rooting for to exceed expectations this year.<br /><br />I usually go to one or two early Buffalo Sabres games to decide if they'll be contenders or not. I can generally tell whether they perform well as a team, have the drive and necessary components on the roster to be a good team. The last few years have been disappointing to say the least. Management refuses to put money back into the team year after year by letting proven assets get away (Chris Drury, Brian Campbell, J.P. Dumont, etc.). Although this is frustrating to many fans, the front office does draft and develop talent exceptionally well within the organization. It seems the last couple of years have been geared toward following that plan of building the team back up through development. This maybe wishful thinking, and I have not yet done my yearly before mentioned assessment, but I like what the Sabres have to offer.<br /><br />It's still yet to be seen if the Sabres will be able to score on a consistent bases, but this is a team that'll be carried by its net minder and all-world defensive star. Ryan Miller has really been playing under the radar until the Winter Olympics last year, and he should have another solid season this year. Tyler Myers will be starting his second full season in the NHL this Friday night. I believe he's the Sabres most talented player and usually exhibits that talent night in and night out. The Sabres have a good amount of pieces on the roster to compete and make the playoff this year. How far they go in the playoffs will depend on who else can step up and take a leadership role for the Sabres on the ice.<br /><br />I'm more excited for the NHL season to get started than I have been for a long time. I think the NHL season is the hardest to predict out of all the four major sports do to the team chemistry issues I sited earlier in the post, but I like the Capitals and Canucks to meet for Lord Stanley's Cup. In the end, I think the Canucks will make Mr. Ovechkin wait another year to taste team success. Either way, I'll be watching the first few Buffalo Sabres games intently to decide for myself just what type of team they will be out there on the ice.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d1sQN688qbU/TKurSO1CGhI/AAAAAAAAAxA/ihuAI1T_WE0/s1600/Screen+shot+2010-10-05+at+6.47.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d1sQN688qbU/TKurSO1CGhI/AAAAAAAAAxA/ihuAI1T_WE0/s400/Screen+shot+2010-10-05+at+6.47.37+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Enjoy the NHL season Sports Jambalaya writers and readers!</b></div>Charles @ Hoopographyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03470157373493317997noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-64698386287054958282010-10-04T22:09:00.007-05:002010-10-04T22:31:03.048-05:00CCR #3: NHL Predictions by sanjosefuji<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqbgnxSdbI/AAAAAAAABFk/veP1G9eSWKk/s1600/imgres-1.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqbgnxSdbI/AAAAAAAABFk/veP1G9eSWKk/s200/imgres-1.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524398877657167282" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Okay... it's time to come clean. I've been a San Jose Sharks fan since they became a franchise 18 years ago... and during that time I've gone to around 75 to 100 games. I've memorized most of the Sharks' jersey numbers. I can tell you that they've had one Calder Memorial Trophy winner (Evgeni Nabokov - 00/01 NHL ROY ), one Hart Memorial Trophy winner (Joe Thornton - 05/06 NHL MVP), one Art Ross Trophy winner (Joe Thornton again - 05/06 NHL point leader), one Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy winner (Tony Granato - 96/97... kind of like a sportmanship/dedication to hockey award), one Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner (Jonathan Cheechoo - 05/06 NHL top scorer), and one Presidents' Trophy (best record in the NHL in 08/09). I can even tell you that they'll be one of the top teams in the NHL again.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" size="10pt" style="background-color: white; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqZgDEdsPI/AAAAAAAABFM/vNsttu04Vc0/s1600/nabokov3.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqZgDEdsPI/AAAAAAAABFM/vNsttu04Vc0/s200/nabokov3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524396668782227698" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px; " /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqZTcKF5QI/AAAAAAAABE0/5TSVlUfkajc/s200/thornton1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524396452178420994" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px; " /><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqZTLgAtUI/AAAAAAAABEs/9AsIPRaeDaM/s200/cheechoo2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524396447706953026" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 145px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">However, what I can't do is tell you that they'll win it all this year. Why not? Because... for the past four seasons, I've felt in my heart that they had a solid shot at bring home the Cup to my hometown of San Jose. And each time... I was wrong. Part of it is because I'm naive. I'm just a loyal fan with high hopes for his team. But... I'm also ignorant. I know the in's and out's of the Sharks... but I don't know squat about anyone else.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So... sit back and enjoy... while I ramble off my NHL picks for the upcoming season.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Let's start with the East:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1st Place: The Capitals (They had the best record last season by a landslide)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2nd Place: The Penguins (They have Crosby &amp; Malkin)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3rd Place: The Sabres (They have Ryan Miller: my favorite non-Shark)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4th Place: The Canadiens (umm... they make card sets based on the franchise)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5th Place: The Bruins (My buddy loves the Bruins and he says they're good)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6th Place:The Lightning (They have St. Louis, Stamkos, and Lecavalier)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7th Place: The Rangers (because Gretzky and Messier played for them years ago)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8th Place: The Devils (No offense... but the red dude with horns is on their side)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now let's turn to the West</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:13.3333px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1st Place: The Red Wings (because they always find a way to piss me off)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2nd Place: The Ducks (see what I wrote about the Red Wings)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3rd Place: The Sharks (They still have a great team... I just know it)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4th Place: The Canucks (looks like several sites have them ranked high)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5th Place: The Blackhawks (the Sharks get your sloppy seconds... but at least his name isn't Belfour)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6th Place: The Kings (see what I wrote about the Red Wings)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7th Place: The Oilers (because Gretzky and Messier played for them years ago)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8th Place: The Stars (see what I wrote about the Red Wings)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Alright... so here's how it's all going to pan out... in my little fantasy world:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Sabres take the East... and the Sharks take the West. It's going to be a Miller vs. Niemi showdown and the Sharks will finally bring home the Cup.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqZT8H8V1I/AAAAAAAABFE/fCYTlzC4gbw/s1600/miller1.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqZT8H8V1I/AAAAAAAABFE/fCYTlzC4gbw/s200/miller1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524396460759340882" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px; " /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">vs.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__CT3HJT5Xb4/TKqa8Btc60I/AAAAAAAABFU/p1X6HuRs5mE/s200/imgres.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524398248965237570" style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px; " /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; ">Seriously... I have no idea... if I were a betting man... I wouldn't bet on hockey... or at least I wouldn't bet on the Sharks. Don't worry... my blood runs teal and black. I may be an NHL wannabe... but I know I'm a lifelong Sharks fan.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Have a great week!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div>Fujihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749100861086458307noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-64946125136274978322010-10-03T11:58:00.002-05:002010-10-03T12:11:22.644-05:00Card Collector's Roundtable - Topic 3: NHLLast hockey season was so interesting that even I became interested. The Canadiens shocked everyone by not only getting to the Eastern Finals, but beating Sid the Kid AND Alex Ovi in the process.<br /><br />During the off-season, the Blackhawks dismantled themselves! It's as if they were the Marlins! And how about them Sharks? Are they the one constant in hockey?<br /><br />Do I have any idea what I'm saying? Not really. But you do, so answer the call and make your NHL predictions!<br /><br />NOTE: This topic will not last a full week, due to the MLB Postseason. Please have your predictions in by Wednesday, if you wish to make them.The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-70441267206722947912010-09-28T20:40:00.002-05:002010-09-28T20:54:09.924-05:00CCR #2 RecapHere is our consensus:<br /><br /><b>AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera</b> with 4 out of the 4 votes.<br /><br /><b>AL Cy Young: Felix Hernandez</b> with 3 votes. <b>David Price</b> received one.<br /><br /><b>AL ROY</b>: This one was split right down the middle... then down the middle again! One vote for each of the following: <b>Brennan Boesch, Neftali Feliz, Daniel Hudson, Austin Jackson.</b><br /><br /><b>NL MVP: Albert Pujols</b> got half of the votes. <b>Joey Votto and Carlos Gonzalez</b> also received votes.<br /><br /><b>NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay</b> is batting 1.000 with the voters this week.<br /><br /><b>NL ROY: Buster Posey</b> dominated, as is expected of him from now on. Marlin <b>Gaby Sanchez</b> came in a distant second.<br /><br />Did we get them right? We will soon know. It seems that we are on a break this week, but you best bet we'll be better, faster, and stronger next week.The Ranterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01909140451493301097noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1242137351258065257.post-63538724023626406892010-09-26T10:12:00.003-05:002010-09-26T12:08:52.874-05:00CCR#2: MLB Awards from Tony McIt's the most exciting time of the year for any baseball fan. Division champions are being crowned, the playoffs are almost upon us and of course we then have the World Series!<br /><br />Who will get to the show? The Yankees? The Rays? How about the Giants or Padres? The World Series predictions are for a later date, this time around I'm going to predict my picks for the MLB awards.<br /><br />Thankfully our dark overlord and blog founder, The Ranter has chosen a selection of players that we must pick.<br /><br />We'll start with the better league first, the National League. Why is this league better than the AL I hear you all ask? Easy, that's were the Giants are and there is no stupid designated hitter rule.<br /><br /><div align="center">Here are our choices</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">National League MVP</span></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Carlos Gonzalez - Rockies</div><div align="center">Albert Pujols - Cardinals</div><div align="center">Joey Votto - Reds</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">National League Cy Young</span></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Roy Halladay - Phillies</div><div align="center">Ubaldo Jimenez - Rockies</div><div align="center">Adam Wainwright - Cardinals</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">National League ROY</span></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Starlin Castro - Cubs</div><div align="center">Jamie Garcia - Cardinals</div><div align="center">Jason Heyward - Braves</div><div align="center">Buster Posey - Giants</div><div align="center">Gaby Sanchez - Marlins</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">So who will get the NL MVP?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div align="left">My pick is Albert Pujols. My reasons being is that yet again he has had an outstanding season! He's hitting a tasty .316 with 41 home runs and lets not forget his 113 RBI's. Is he better than the other two candidates? Well DUH! Its Pujols you moron, of course he's better then the other two! He does not have a better AVG then Votto or Gonzalez, who currently sits on .325 and .342 respectively but he has played more games then them. Sure only about ten games more but that still has an impact on his overall stats.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">How about the Cy Young?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div align="left">If you asked me this at the beginning of the season I would have slapped you for being so stupid. It was Lincecum! But Timmy has suffered this year thanks to a poor Giants offence and a miserable slump that took him a while to get out of. </div><br /><div align="left">If I had to choose from the above three, and I have to because thems the rules, I would pick the former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay!</div><br /><div align="left">What a season this guy is having! 20-10 with a 2.53 ERA and lets not forget his 213 Strike outs. In his past ten starts he has won eight times, EIGHT times! The only real competition this guy has is from Wainwright who has gone 20-11 with a lower ERA of 2.42. Interestingly both pitchers have the same amount of strike outs but Halladay has just performed better in my opinion. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">NL ROY or should this be the 'Strasburg is hurt, quick lets find someone else' Award?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">This was by far the easiest pick for me. Yes I'm a Giants fan but even if this kid was playing for the Dodgers I'd still choose him. Obviously I'm talking about Buster Posey. I don't think I need to spout stats at you because we are all aware of his exploits and I dont think the Giants would still be in the NL West race if it wasn't for this guy. Does anyone else see a lot of Will Clark in Posey? I sure do. I'll even state now that Posey will be MVP in 2011. That's right you heard it hear first.</span></div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">OK, that the NL sorted, lets take a bash at the AL.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#000000;">Here are the choices:</span></div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">American League MVP</span></div><div align="center">Miguel Cabrera - Tigers</div><div align="center">Robinson Cano - Yankees</div><div align="center">Carl Crawford - Rays</div><div align="center">Josh Hamilton - Rangers</div><div align="center">Justin Morneau - Twins</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">American League Cy Young</span></div><div align="center">Feliz Hernadez - Mariners</div><div align="center">Cliff Lee - Rangers</div><div align="center">David Price - Rays</div><div align="center">CC Sabathia - Yankees</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;">American League ROY</span></div><div align="center">Brennan Boesch - Tigers</div><div align="center">Neftali Feliz - Rangers</div><div align="center">Austin Jackson - Tigers</div><div align="center">Carlos Santana - Indians</div><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">First the AL MVP</span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">This is a lot tougher that the NL. If Hamilton didn't get injured I would say he had it in the bag, but he did get injured so tough luck, he's out. It would not be fair to consider him due to the fact he played a shorter season.</span></div><br /><div align="left">This is a two horse race. Cabrera and Cano.</div><br /><div align="left">Cabrera is having a monster year! Hes in the top three for AVG, HR and RBI's. There's only one thing that might hinder his chances, and it's something that should really have no impact on the voting but it will and that is because he plays for a crap team. Poor Miggy, stuck in a Tigers uniform when I'm sure he would rather be playing for the Rays or the Yankees.</div><br /><div align="left">Robinson Cano, the dark horse. Cano will probably end the season with over 200 hits and a respectable AVG. Some of his numbers aren't as good as some of the other candidates but when you throw in his fielding skills he just edges in front.</div><br /><div align="left">So who would I pick? My heart says Cabrera but my head says Cano.</div><br /><div align="left">Wait a second! Cano is a Yankee! </div><br /><div align="left">Miggy has my vote!</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">AL Cy Young?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">Its David Price. OK so Sabathia has more wins and Hernadez has a better ERA and more strikeouts. But Hernandez has not had the support from the sucky Mariners this year, if he was on the Mariners team of the mid to late 90's then yes he would be the Cy Young. </span></div><br /><div align="left">Sabathia is leading the AL with wins and fair play he's a great player and a former Cy Young winner but just like my reason for not picking Cano, hes a Yankee and I don't want them to win anything! Be it the division, League, WS or any individual awards.</div><br /><div align="left">Price will be named the Cy Young and when they get to the post season (and they will) he is going to shine. It's a real shame that he's going to lose to the Giants in the World Series, I almost feel bad for him.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;">AL ROY?</span></div><div align="left"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="color:#000000;">The rookie crop for both leagues this year has been incredible. Will all the rookies named in these lists be as good next year? Only time will tell.</span></div><br /><div align="left">In my opinion there is one clear pick for the AL ROY and that is the Tigers Austin Jackson.</div><br /><div align="left">176 hits, .299 average and 26 stolen bases. I like players who can hit and are fast. Austin ticks both boxes. </div><br /><div align="left">Much like Miggy its a shame that this kid is a Tiger, but its different for a rookie as opposed to a veteran. People take note of newcomers regardless of what team they play for and veterans tend to be over looked.</div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">So what do you think of my picks?</div><br /><div align="left">Biased? Poorly researched? I don't pretend to be anything else. </div><br /><div align="left">Will you side with me or one of my fellow authors? Or will you go the way of the legendary Hackensack Bulls Pitcher and vote for...</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZdiFPWUdXM/TJ95_sTlWBI/AAAAAAAAANQ/nB6l4ytPEfE/s1600/brewster.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521265803311536146" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tZdiFPWUdXM/TJ95_sTlWBI/AAAAAAAAANQ/nB6l4ytPEfE/s320/brewster.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Monty Brewster - None of the above.</p>Tony Mchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04708130795543892569noreply@blogger.com1